Department of Anthropology
The Department of Anthropology conducts research in archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and museum studies. Faculty members in archaeology have active excavations ongoing in southern Kansas and eastern Texas, as well as experimental and artifactual studies in the Great Plains Archaeological Laboratory and the Archaeology of Food Laboratory. Faculty members in biological anthropology engage in forensic, paleodemographic, and human evolutionary research, utilizing the Skeleton Acres Research Facility and research partners such as the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. Faculty members in cultural anthropology engage with the local community and communities abroad to better understand universal trends in the human experience, through themes such as ritual, aesthetics, racialization, and political economy.
Lowell D Holmes Anthropological Museum
Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology serves Wichita and surrounding communities by connecting people of all ages to diverse cultures around the world
The museum hosts approximately 100-200 visitors a year, mostly school visits. The museum staff also engage in educational outreach to schools and speaking engagements to civic organizations
LDHAM is committed to NAGPRA regulations regarding culturally sensitive objects.
Industry-Needs Research Activities
Cultural Resource Management
- Cultural resource management (CRM) is a compliance-based industry that supports the sustainable and ethical development of community and infrastructure needs, primarily by utilizing archaeologists to ensure no sites are impacted by construction activities
- Since 2018: 6 projects from City of Wichita, City of Belle Plaine, City of Bentley, NIAR
- $30,000 external funding for >15 student employees, contributing to career readiness n technical areas like GIS
- Saving local communities~$40,000 by utilizing WSU resources
Forensic Human Remains Identification
Skeleton Acres (SARF) is an established facility that site that integrates teaching, training, and research among academic programs (Anthropology, & Forensic science).
The forensic anthropology program regular serves local and regional law enforcement agencies by aiding in the recovery and identification of medico-legal cases across the State of Kansas.
Research into the effect on fire and indirect heat on “mock” scenes” currently undertaken at SARF
Community-Based Activities
Community-Disaster Recovery
- Raising Support and understanding for Disaster Recovery (February 6, 2023, Earthquake in Antakya)
- About 85% of the city of Antakya destroyed and more than 500,000 persons directly affected by trauma and personal loss
- 3 Sunflower articles, 3 local association talks, 3 academic presentations, 3 publication projects, 1 community fundraiser
Ethnographic Methods Field School: Arkansas City, Kansas 2023
- Students conducted semi-structured and structured narrative life history interviews, Focus Group Discussions on the issues facing Ark City, conducted observation exercises in local financial institutions and health settings to understand the sociality and economic life of the City.
